Otahkians stay perfect in OVC, top Austin Peay

Austin Peay's first-year women's soccer team has not won a game this season, but the Lady Govs looked more than respectable Friday night.

Despite dominating the action, Southeast Missouri State University found converting tough as the Otahkians had to battle for a 2-0 victory in front of about 125 fans at Houck Stadium.

The Otahkians, closing in on their second straight Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title, improved to 11-4-1 overall and a first-place 4-0 in OVC play. Austin Peay fell to 0-11-3 and 0-5-1.

"Austin Peay battled from start to finish and never quit," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said.

Really, Nelson expected nothing less from the Governors, who are coached by former Southeast assistant Kelley Poole. Poole spent the past two seasons under Nelson before accepting the challenge of starting a brand-new program.

"I expected her players to battle like that," Nelson said, then added with a laugh, "It was definitely strange coaching against her. We don't like her on that side. We would rather have her on our bench."

Poole, who played a part in last year's record-setting Southeast squad that went 16-2 and won its first OVC title, also felt a bit uneasy.

"I had mixed feelings," she said. "I have a real good relationship with the staff and team, but I'm hoping to build something here like we did at Southeast.

"The girls played well tonight. I couldn't be happier with my team."

Southeast got a goal in each half. Valerie Henderson scored midway through the first half on about a 15-yard shot, with an assist from Stephanie Bleau.

Midway through the final period, Marla Gianino scored, also from about 15 yards away. Mary Kalinowski recorded an assist.

The Otahkians held a commanding 39-6 edge in shots. Amanda Wrzos and Lauren Fabbro needed to make just three saves as they combined on the shutout. Austin Peay keeper Sarah Broadbent made several spectacular stops on her way to 15 saves.

"I think we moved the ball well," Nelson said. "We just didn't finish. We had so many good chances, a lot of open nets."

Said Southeast senior Jenny Hamilton, last season's OVC Defender of the Year, "They're a good team for a first-year squad. We should have scored more, but the main thing is we won."

Otahkians' volleyball team loses at Morehead

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Southeast's volleyball team had its OVC title hopes dealt a severe blow Friday night as Morehead State prevailed in an extremely tight match 22-30, 30-21, 20-30, 30-27, 21-19.

The Otahkians fell to 12-10 overall and 7-3 in OVC play as they had a six-match winning streak snapped. The Eagles, who won for the 11th straight time, improved to 17-8 and 10-1.

Bobbi Carlile led the Otahkians in kills with 24. Sarah Frost had 14, Emily Johnson 13 and Jessica Haupt 10.

Suzanne Gundlach had 29 digs, followed by Johnson with 26, Carlile with 20 and Emily Scannell with 18. Scannell recorded 54 assists.